EU invests 3 million euros in the digitalization of agriculture and the modernization of employment services in the Republic of Moldova
The European Union is allocating 3 million euros to a new 3-year project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This initiative aims to strengthen digital governance in agriculture and enhance access to decent job opportunities for vulnerable individuals in rural areas.
The initiative aims to modernize employment systems and expand the Digital Register of Farmers nationwide, marking a significant step towards aligning Moldova with the European Union's (EU) Common Agricultural Policy.
According to Iwona Piórko, the EU Ambassador to Chisinau, this project will enhance the quality of public services, increase transparency, and ensure equal access to agricultural subsidies and support.
"Through this partnership, the European Union is helping the Republic of Moldova build a modern, inclusive, and digitized rural economy. The creation of a National Register of Farmers is essential for Moldova’s accession to the EU, as it ensures compliance with the requirements of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. This benefits citizens and the farming community by providing fair access to agricultural subsidies, improving food safety and traceability, and supporting rural development through better-informed agricultural policies,” said Iwona Piórko.
The project consists of two main components. The first focuses on the digitalization of employment services by modernizing the National Employment Agency's systems. This includes online registration, automated matching of candidates and vacancies, case management tools, and personalized support for vulnerable groups.
"Digital innovation is a crucial part of this transformation—not as a goal in itself but as a tool that connects people, data, and decisions for better outcomes and stronger public trust,” stated Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
The second component aims to expand the National Digital Register of Farmers to enhance the management of subsidies, food traceability, and the efficiency of agricultural policies. Small farmers, women, and youth in rural areas will receive training and support for registration on this platform.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga said that the new system would bring order and transparency to the administration of agricultural funds.
"Through this system, we will know exactly who works the land, what crops are being grown, and under what conditions. Thus, the process of granting subsidies will become more predictable and simpler for each farmer. This reform establishes order and trust for both farmers and state institutions. Accurate data will enable us to better develop agricultural policies, use public funds efficiently, and avoid payment errors. Additionally, the Farmers' Register brings us closer to European practices, where each hectare is digitally monitored and support is granted transparently,” noted Ludmila Catlabuga.
This project builds on the previous experience of the EU and UNDP in digitalizing public services in the Republic of Moldova, including the establishment of the eSocial platform, the implementation of the Energy Vulnerability Fund, and the piloting of the Digital Farmers' Register with the support of the Government of Japan.
Thus far, the initiative has yielded positive results, including the collection of data from over 20,000 farmers and the testing of monitoring tools based on artificial intelligence, paving the way for the national expansion of this essential tool for the modernization of agriculture and the country’s European integration.
